Dispensing and applicator cap for containers



Dec. 23, 1952 J, GlRAUD 21,622,258-

DISPENSING AND APPLICATOR CAPFOR CONTAINERS 2 SHEETS- SHEET l Filed Oct. 12, 1950 52% 7 6- :mventor 321.55 G//PA U0 Wfm Tjee. 23, 1952 J. GIRAUD 2,622,258

DISPENSING AND APPLICA'OR 'CAP FOR CONTAINERS 2 SI-IEETS-SHEET 2 Filed OCb. 12, 1950 l Snventor 7%55 G/@Az/o Gttorneg Patented Dec. 23, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPENSING AND APPLICATOR CAP FOR CONTAINERS Application October 12, 1950, Serial No. 189,712 In France October 21, 1949 5 anims.

This invention relates to dispensing caps for containers and more particularly to a cap for dispensing fluids by drops or for applying the fluids to a sponge-like member for use as an applicator.

The present invention provides a composite distributor and applictor cap which permits dropwise distribution of liquids through a special opening, and also serves as an applicator. By adjustment it is also possible to stop the flow of liquid entirely, even when the cap is at a lower level than the container on which it is mounted, under which circumstances the applicator sponge, thus rendered independent, may be used for applying still other liquids by dipping it into them.

The chief characteristic of the invention consists in the combination of a cap or stopper having a pierced hole with a swab of spongy material, preferably regenerated cellulose, and a disc pierced with one or more holes or slits within the same radius. Rotation of the disc permits registration of a given hole or slit in ythe latter with the hole in the cap. In a manner determined by the hole or slit, a lowof liquid or of paste may then be produced through the spongy swab. This arrangement likewise makes it possible to ensure complete closure of the container by turning the disc so as to shut off the opening in the cap with an unperforated part of the disc.

The invention will be better understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which certain specic embodiments are shown for purposes of illustration only.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a bottom plan view of the disc;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 4 showing the disc in the position of complete closure;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of Per;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of the assembly;

Fig. 6 is a section similar to Fig. 2 showing the disc in position for flow of liquid through the applicator;

Fig. 'I is a section taken on the line 'I--l of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a section similar to Fig. 2 showing the disc in position for escape of liquid;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 13;

the disc and stop Fig. l0 is a section taken on the line III-IB of Fig. 13;

lFig. 11 is adetail view of an embodiment suited for use with a collapsible tube container;

Fig. l2 is a section similar to Fig. 9 showing the disc with applicator, in position for dispensing paste from the collapsible tube container;

Fig. 13 is a sectional View of the assembly of cap and collapsible tube container; and

Fig. 14 is a side elevation thereof.

In Figs. 1 to 8, and in particular in Fig. 4, the screw-neck bottle 9 is closed with a stopper 6 having one or more holes 8 located eccentrically. The stopper E carries a disc I which is rotatably secured by means of a pin I0 passing through a center hole 'I in the stopper 6 and through a center hole 2 in the disc I and carrying two lock washers II. An applicator or swab I2 of adsorbent material, such as regenerated cellulose or other sponge material, is attached to the disc with an adhesive which is proof against water or other liquids to be distributed. As Fig. 4 more particularly shows, the sponge lits the shape of the cavity in which it is mounted. The disc I is formed with one or more holes 3 adapted in certain positions of the disc, to register with the holes 8 in the stopper (see Figs. 1 and 2). The upper edge of the bottle neck 9' has an arcuate cut out section I4. Its edge is preferably milled externally to permit ease of manipulation as described below. A groove i is cut or pressed in the flat under side of the disc I. In addition, there is a projection 5 on the lower edge of the disc, forming a marker. This marker 5 may be placed in any of the positions A, B or C at will, with respect to the bottle neck 9' of the bottle (see Fig. 5) and rides in the cut out sector I4 to form a stop. A hood I3 is screwed over the neck 9 when the device is not in use.

The device functions as follows: When the bottle is inverted, after the marker 5 has been turned into position C (Fig. 6), the liquid in the bottle passes through hole 8 in stopper 6 and then escapes through hole 3 in disc I. It then penetrates the applicator sponge I2. When the sponge I2 is suiciently wetted, the marker 5 need only be returned to position A in order to stop the supply of liquid and permit the use of the wet sponge I2 as required. If it is desired to draw off a little liquid directly from the container, the marker 5 is placed in position B. The liquid escaping at 8 through the hole in the stopper reaches the groove in disc I at ii and runs out through the said groove, either into another container or onto a cloth or the like; the flow of liquid is stopped by returning the marker to positon A. In this latter position, the user may employ the swab or sponge independently of the contents of the bottle.

In Figs. 9 to 14 a compressible tube i5 with threaded neck Iii is fitted with a closure cap I1, with intervening packing ring. The closure cap I7 is suitably pierced in the center witha hole I8, and attached to a disc 20 carrying the swab I9 by means of a pin 2l. The closure cap ll has an excised sector from A to B along its circumference, and a circular groove 22 permitting introduction of a ring 23, e. g. of cork, to make a seal between the disc 20 and the cap Il. The disc 20 has holes 24 through which the paste emerges when pressure is exerted on the tube and the disc 2c is so placed that the holes 24 register with the holes 21, when the marker 25 is positioned-at B (Figs. 10 and 14). When the device is not in use, a hood 25 is applied and held in place by light friction.

The device functions similarly to that previously described. It may have a groove el similaito the groove d in the event of its being used with pastos suiiciently fluid to be dispensed dropwise, or for attachment to a screw-neck bottle. For'more convenient application of the paste, a

brush may be embedded in the sponge or insertedV around it behind the milled rim of the disc.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispenser and applicator cap for containers comprising a container closure member having an opening therein for discharge of the container contents, a disc mounted to rotate over said closure member and normally covering and.

closing said opening, a sponge applicator carried by said disc, said disc having a hole positioned to register with said closure opening in one position of said disc for supplying the container contents to said sponge, and having a recess on its under surface positioned to form a discharge channel from said closure opening to the periphery of said disc in a second position of said disc whereby the contents may be either applied to said applicator or discharged Without contacting said applicator.

2. A dispenser and applicator cap, as set forth in claim l, in which said applicator sponge is formed of regenerated cellulose.

3. A dispenser and applicator cap, as set forth in claim l, in which the disc is provided with a milled edge to facilitate its operation and markers are disposed on the disc and on a stationary port to indicate the Various positions of the disc.

4. In combination, a container having a neck opening, a closure member for said opening comprising a stopper having an opening therein for discharge of the container contents, a disc mounted to rotate over said closure member and normally covering and closing said stopper opening, a sponge applicator carried by said disc, said disc having a hole positioned to register with said stopper opening in one position of said disc for supplying the container contents to said sponge, and having a recess on its under surface positioned to form a discharge channel from said stopper opening to the periphery of said disc in a second position of said disc whereby the contents may be either applied to said applicator or discharged Without contacting said applicator.

5. In combination, a container having a neck forming an opening and having external screw threads therein, a closure member having a skirt threaded onto said neck threads and having an opening therein for discharge of the container contents, a disc mounted to rotate over said closure member and normally covering and closing said closure opening, a sponge applicator carried by said disc, saidV disc having a hole positioned to register with said closure opening in one position of said disc for supplying the container contents to said sponge, and having' a recess on its under surface positioned to form a discharge channel from said closure opening to the periphery of said disc in a second position of said disc whereby the contents may be either applied to said applicator or discharged without contacting said applicator.

JULES GIRAUD.

REFERENCES yCITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 420,785 Gustafson Feb. 4, 1890 1,773,820 Lysons Aug. 26, 1930 2,148,726 Brandt Feb. 28, 1939 

